Peach tree named &#39;NJ357&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct peach variety of  Prunus persica  named ‘NJ357’ is provided. This variety is distinguished from other peach varieties by its unique combination of showy flowers, large, nearly round, freestone fruit, with an attractive red blush and orange-red mottle over a bright yellow-orange ground color, ripening in midseason, with yellow-orange, firm, juicy flesh, and sweet, subacid flavor that is maintained following cold storage.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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Latin name of genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus persica L.

Variety denomination: NJ357.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peachtree named ‘NJ357’. Our new tree resulted from crossing our proprietarypeach seedling selection ‘H15-20-90258’ (non-patented) as the seedparent with ‘Summerprince’ (non-patented) peach tree, as the pollenparent. The new variety differs from seed parent ‘H15-20-90258’ in thatthe new variety produces viable pollen and has a more sweetness andaromatics. The new variety differs from pollen parent ‘Summerprince’ inthat the new variety produces larger fruit that are sweet and loweracidity. The resulting tree was selected when growing in a cultivatedarea as the 47^(th) tree in the 7^(th) row of Block H at a fruitresearch farm in Cream Ridge, N.J.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘NJ357’ variety is distinguished from other peach varieties due tothe following unique combination of characteristics:

-   -   Nearly round fruit with a low tendency to split when adequately        cropped.    -   Large, yellow-orange fleshed fruit, with an attractive red blush        and orange-red mottle over a bright yellow-orange ground color.    -   Excellent production of firm fruit that ripen in midseason.    -   Fruit with a good to very good eating quality and sweet, subacid        flavor.

The variety was asexually reproduced at a fruit research farm in CreamRidge, N.J. Asexual reproduction of this new variety by budding onto‘Lovell’ peach seedling rootstock (non-patented) shows that theforegoing characteristics are so reproduced.

The following detailed description concerns the original tree, ‘NJ357’.The original tree and asexual progeny have been observed growing in acultivated area at the fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J. Certaincharacteristics of this variety, such as growth and color, may changewith changing environmental conditions (such as, light, temperature,moisture, nutrient availability) or other factors. Color descriptionsand other terminology are used in accordance with their ordinarydictionary descriptions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.Color designations are made with reference to The Royal HorticulturalSociety (R.H.S.) Colour Chart (1966)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new variety is illustrated by the accompanying photographicdrawings, depicting the peach tree by the best possible colorrepresentation using color photography. Colors are approximate as colordepends on horticultural practices, such as light level, fertilizationrate, and other conditions and, therefore, the color characteristics ofthis new variety should be determined with reference to the observationsdescribed herein, rather than from these illustrations alone.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph taken on Aug. 22, 2014 of a characteristictwig of ‘NJ357’ in late spring bearing typical leaves of the foliage.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph taken on Aug. 11, 2014 of characteristicmature fruit and stones of ‘NJ357’. Whole fruit are presented in threepositions and both a transverse and longitudinal cross section toillustrate that the pericarp does not adhere to the pit when the fruitis mature. The stones exemplify the obovate shape and pits and grooveson the surface of the stone.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph of a characteristic twig that illustratesthe typical flower buds and large, showy flowers of ‘NJ357’ observed ona tree at the fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J. on Apr. 21, 2015.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph of a dormant tree of ‘NJ357’, prior topruning, in late winter that illustrates the spreading growth habit of atree at the fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J. on Feb. 8, 2016.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph taken on Mar. 17, 2015 of immature bark of‘NJ357’ that illustrates color and the moderate density of conspicuouselliptic lenticels on the immature bark.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph taken on Mar. 11, 2015 of mature bark of‘NJ357’ that illustrates the grey color, areas of shallow exfoliation,and slightly rough texture of the mature bark.

The colors of and illustration of this type may vary with lighting andother conditions under which conditions and, therefore, colorcharacteristics of this new variety should be determined with referenceto the observations described herein, rather than from theseillustrations alone.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the ‘NJ357’ variety is based onobservations of an asexually reproduced tree. The observed tree was sixyears of age and growing on ‘Lovell’ seedling rootstock (non-patented)at said fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J.

-   Scientific name: Prunus persica L.-   Parentage:

Seed parent: ‘H15-20-90258’. Pollen parent: ‘Summerprince’.

-   Tree:

Vigor: Vigorous. Plant hardiness zone: Growth of plants has only beenobserved in zone 6b. Dormant flower bud At least to −20° C. coldtolerance: Overall shape: Spreading. Height: Average as compared toother peach cultivars. For example, measurement of a typical graftedtree on ‘Lovell’ peach seedling rootstock (non-patented) at six yearsafter planting shows an average height of 3.4 meters when grown in CreamRidge, N.J. Width: Average as compared to other peach cultivars. Forexample, measurement of a typical grafted tree on ‘Lovell’ peachseedling rootstock (non-patented) at six years after planting shows anaverage width of 4.3 meters when grown in Cream Ridge, N.J. Caliper: Sixyear old tree is 48 cm. in circumference measured at 20 cm. from theground.

-   Trunk and branches:

Trunk bark texture: Slightly rough with areas of shallow exfoliation.Trunk bark color: Grey (RHS 201C). Primary branches: Branches that areapproximately 16 cm. in circumference are greyed-orange (RHS 176B)overlaid with grey (RHS 201B). Lenticels: Moderate density,approximately 1.1 per square cm; elliptical in shape and conspicuous;typical examples of which averaged 5.5 mm. in length and 2.2 mm. inwidth; grey (RHS 201D) in color becoming greyed-orange (RHS 174B)towards the center. Branch pubescence: None. New growth bark:Greyed-purple (RHS 183A) in sun; color yellow-green (RHS 152D) in shadeoverlaid with greyed-red (RHS 182b). Internodes: Length averaging 22.2mm. on a one-year shoot.

-   Leaves:

Texture: Glabrous, both surfaces Sheen: Young leaves semi-glossy with aflat finish on the underside. Length: About 165 mm. to 191 mm.,averaging about 175 mm. including the petiole. Width: About 31 mm. to 37mm., averaging about 35 mm. Petiole: Averaging 9.4 mm. long and about2.0 mm. in diameter. Margin: Crenate. Margin undulation: Wavy. Form:Lanceolate, and concave in cross section. Apex: Sharply acuminate,curved downward. Base: Acute. Venation: Pinnate. Glands: Number: About 2to 4, averaging about 2.7. Position: Mostly located on the petiole,occasionally on the leaf margin near its base. Size: Length averaging1.6 mm. and width averaging 1.2 mm. Form: Reniform. Stipules: Noneobserved on mature leaves. Leaf Color: Upper leaf surface: Yellow-green(between RHS 146A and RHS 147B). Lower leaf surface: Yellow-green (RHS147B). Vein: Yellow-green (RHS 145C). Pubescence: None.

-   Flowers:

Size: Large size, typical flower measuring between 39 mm. to 46 mm,averaging about 42 mm. across. Color: Dormant bud: Grey (RHS 201D)becoming Grey (RHS 201A) near the basc. Pink stage bud: Red (between RHS55A and RHS 55B). Open flower: Red (between RHS 55B and RHS 55D).Petals: Typically five petals per flower; slightly cupped, slightlyelliptic to nearly round, with slight undulation at the margin,averaging about 21.3 mm. long and 17.6 mm. wide. Petal apex: Obtuse,nearly rounded. Petal base: Cuneate. Stamens: Number: Variable, typicalrange 40 and 48, averaging 43.4. Length: Variable, between 9.8 mm. to 16mm, averaging 13.0 mm. Filament color: White (RHS 155C). Anther color:Orange-red (between RHS 34B and RHS 34C). Pistil: Number: One. Size:Length between 16 and 28 mm., averaging 20.1 mm. Pistil color:Yellow-green (RHS 145C). Ovary: Moderate, long pubescence and ellipsoidin shape, color yellow-green (RHS 145B). Sepals: Number Five.Pubescence: Length short, heavy density. Color: Greyed-red (RHS 182C) togreyed-purple (RHS 183B) becoming greyed-green (RHS 146D) near themargin. Shape: Triangular, with a rounded apex. Size: Length averaging6.6 mm, width averaging 4.3 mm. Nectar cup color: Greyed-orange (betweenRHS 169B and RHS 169C). Pollen: Abundant; yellow (RHS 11A) in color.Fragrance: Very slight. Bloom season: Onset of bloom in 2014 on April16; full bloom on April 24.

-   Fruit:

Size: Large, averaging about 7.2 cm. long, 7.5 cm. wide parallel to thesuture and 6.9 cm. wide perpendicular to the suture. Typical weight:220g. Form: Longitudinal section: Nearly round; slightly lipped at apex.Traverse section: Nearly round. Suture: Very shallow, extending frombase to apex. Ventral surface: Nearly smooth at its base, becominglipped towards the apex. Base: Flat. Apex: Flat to slightly depressed.Stem: Average length of 9.1 mm. and an average diameter of 4.3 mm. Skin:Thickness: Medium. Surface: Pubescent, generally light and short.Tenacity: Medium. Astringency: None. Tendency to crack: Low. Color:Blush is between red (RHS 46A) and greyed- purple (RHS 183A); mottle andstripes are orange- red (between RHS 34A and RHS 34B); ground color isyellow-orange (between RHS 21C and RHS 22D). Fruit Properties: Fleshcolor: Yellow-orange (RHS 16C). Flesh adhesion: Freestone. Juice:Moderate. Texture: Firm, but melting. Fibers: Not noticeable. Ripens:Between July 25 and August 6 at Cream Ridge, N.J. Flavor: Sweet,subacid. Soluble solids: 11.7%. Aroma: Slight. Eating quality: Good tovery good. Keeping quality: Medium. Has held its flavor and firmness forat least 14 days in cold storage at 1° C. to 2° C. May develop someinking after storage. Shipping quality: Good. No bruising or scaringdisorders have been observed. Usage: Dessert. Market: Local and longdistance. Productivity: Excellent. Trees have produced a full crop in 8out of 10 years, and at least a partial crop in 9 out of 10 years atCream Ridge, N.J.

-   Stone:

Type: Freestone. Form: Obovate. Base: Medium. Apex: Narrow. Surface:Pits and grooves. Ventral suture: Medium to large. Dorsal ridge: Mediumto high, broad width, forming deep lines. External color: Greyed-orange(RHS 165D). Cavity surface color: Greyed-orange (RHS 165D), mottled withgreyed-orange (RHS 165C). Average stone dry 6.6 g. weight: Average stonewall Varies between 5.3 mm. along the dorsal ridge thickness: to 9.4 mm.at the base. Size: Averages about 39.5 mm. long, 24.6 mm. wide parallelto the dorsal ridge, and 19.9 mm. wide perpendicular to the dorsalridge. Tendency to split: Typically low when well cropped. Kernel: Form:Elliptic to slightly obovate. Skin color: Greyed-orange (between RHS163B and RHS 163C). Vein color: Greyed-orange (RHS 163A). Viability:Yes, but may need to be germinated in tissue culture. Size: Averagesabout 17.1 mm. long, 11.7 mm. wide, and 1.8 mm. in breadth.

-   Plant/fruit disease and pest resistance/susceptibility: No atypical    resistances/susceptibilities have been noted under normal cultural    practices.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially asherein shown and described.